Eye-Land: Named for the expansive white oak savanna views, this beautiful 5,200-square foot family home offers seamless indoor/outdoor living with five bedrooms and three baths, and space for two more bedrooms and a bathroom. The site posed unique design challenges. The home was ultimately nestled into the hillside, instead of placed on top of the hill, so that it didn’t dominate the dramatic landscape. The openness of the savanna exposes all sides of the house to the public, which required creative use of form and materials. The home’s one-and-a-half story form pays tribute to the site’s farming history. The simplicity of the gable roof puts a modern edge on a traditional form, and the exterior color palette is limited to black tones to strike a stunning contrast to the golden savanna. The main public spaces have oversized south-facing windows and easy access to an outdoor terrace with views overlooking a protected wetland. The connection to the land is further strengthened by strategically placed windows that allow for views from the kitchen to the driveway and auto court to see visitors approach and children play. There is a formal living room adjacent to the front entry for entertaining and a separate family room that opens to the kitchen for immediate family to gather before and after mealtime.

Overlooking the Puget Sound, this 2,000 sf Pacific Northwest modern home effortlessly opens onto classic water views while optimizing privacy and Southern exposure with a private patio. Our clients sought a poetically minimalist and practical retirement home infused with rhythm and geometry. With dramatic roof lines and a projecting great room that define its form, the architecture’s simplicity frames its dramatic site to incredible effect while the interior playfully loops the spacious traffic patterns of this 3 bedroom 2.5 bath.

Our client was drawn to the property in Wesley Heights as it was in an established neighborhood of stately homes, on a quiet street with views of park. They wanted a traditional home for their young family with great entertaining spaces that took full advantage of the site. The site was the challenge. The natural grade of the site was far from traditional. The natural grade at the rear of the property was about thirty feet above the street level. Large mature trees provided shade and needed to be preserved. The solution was sectional. The first floor level was elevated from the street by 12 feet, with French doors facing the park. We created a courtyard at the first floor level that provide an outdoor entertaining space, with French doors that open the home to the courtyard.. By elevating the first floor level, we were able to allow on-grade parking and a private direct entrance to the lower level pub "Mulligans". An arched passage affords access to the courtyard from a shared driveway with the neighboring homes, while the stone fountain provides a focus. A sweeping stone stair anchors one of the existing mature trees that was preserved and leads to the elevated rear garden. The second floor master suite opens to a sitting porch at the level of the upper garden, providing the third level of outdoor space that can be used for the children to play. The home's traditional language is in context with its neighbors, while the design allows each of the three primary levels of the home to relate directly to the outside. Builder: Peterson & Collins, Inc Photos © Anice Hoachlander

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

The far corner of the executive suite serves a twofold purpose. It is used as a conference area when a larger work surface is needed and when a meeting is held on site. It also transforms into a play table when the family joins the executive in the space. Playing board games and lego building are the top activity for this table. The black copper barn pendant is a rustic element added in for task lighting and to further reinforce the design aesthetic. A supply of reclaimed edged flooring adorns the far wall, installed on a horizontal to fully showcase the beauty of skipped spruce wood.

This stylish above ground family plunge pool is the highlight of this beautiful Balinese-styled backyard. Fully lined with deep-blue glass mosaic tiles and incorporating a wet-edge spill-over wall, the overall look and finish is a wonderful balance of clean lines and complimentary aesthetics. A play ledge for the kids runs the length of the pool, and the ascending steps are finished in Travertine tiles. Unobtrusive glass fencing and Asian-inspired garden plants enhance the visual appeal. This wonderful family plunge pool is very low maintenance, incorporating the convenience of a jet back pool cleaner, as well as the comfort of gas heating for year-round enjoyment. Mini excavators were used to ensure minimal disruption to this small and difficult-to-access site. Construction was also challenging, with a lot of rain during excavation. However, the result has thrilled this family and transformed the backyard into a focal point of relaxation and enjoyment.

Overlooking the Puget Sound, this 2,000 sf Pacific Northwest modern home effortlessly opens onto classic water views while optimizing privacy and Southern exposure with a private patio. Our clients sought a poetically minimalist and practical retirement home infused with rhythm and geometry. With dramatic roof lines and a projecting great room that define its form, the architecture’s simplicity frames its dramatic site to incredible effect while the interior playfully loops the spacious traffic patterns of this 3 bedroom 2.5 bath.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

Inspiration for a modern home design remodel in New York

Lakeshore Residence is a full reorganization of a family home, plus an addition that maximizes its lakeside site and integrates water views and Mt. Rainier beyond. The design adds space to support dynamic family life—places to work, play, entertain, and exercise. Programmatic additions include a second-floor music room and a third-floor family/media area opening up through a ghost door to expansive views, a kitchenette, a small gym, an office, and a pocket art studio. A bright, double-volume wall of glass in the staircase seamlessly connects floors and is topped with a skylight.

This new contemporary home built vertically on a challenging site, takes advantage of the spectacular 180 degree views of Puget Sound with mountain and water vistas. The brief was to create a contemporary yet warm environment where friends and family could gather. A warm palette of calacatta marbles and white oak combined with elegant but comfortable furnishings allow the amazing natural environment beyond to play center stage.

Jacob Lilley Architects Location: Lexington, MA, USA A new garage, kids play room above and a mudroom met the need for more space. A renovated kitchen, bedroom and other living spaces created a refreshed sense of home. The strategic location of the mudroom as an intermediary connector solved problems with this 19th-century home siting seven feet above the ground with limited access to the rear yard. The connector between the garage and existing house is a stair that unifies the various levels and develops a strong connection to the yard. Photographed by: Eric Roth

This Second Empire house is a narrative woven about its circulation. At the street, a quietly fanciful stoop reaches to greet one's arrival. Inside and out, Victorian details are playfully reinterpreted and celebrated in fabulous and whimsical spaces for a growing family - Double story kitchen with open cylindrical breakfast room Parents' and Children's libraries Secret playspaces Top floor sky-lit courtyard Writing room and hidden library Basement parking Media Room Landscape of exterior rooms: The site is conceived as a string of rooms: a landscaped drive-way court, a lawn for play, a sunken court, a serene shade garden, a New England flower garden. The stair grows out of the garden level ordering the surrounding rooms as it rises to a light filled courtyard at the Master suite on the top floor. On each level the rooms are arranged in a circuit around the stair core, making a series of distinct suites for the children, for the parents, and for their common activities.

Photography by Peter Vanderwarker This Second Empire house is a narrative woven about its circulation. At the street, a quietly fanciful stoop reaches to greet one's arrival. Inside and out, Victorian details are playfully reinterpreted and celebrated in fabulous and whimsical spaces for a growing family - Double story kitchen with open cylindrical breakfast room Parents' and Children's libraries Secret playspaces Top floor sky-lit courtyard Writing room and hidden library Basement parking Media Room Landscape of exterior rooms: The site is conceived as a string of rooms: a landscaped drive-way court, a lawn for play, a sunken court, a serene shade garden, a New England flower garden. The stair grows out of the garden level ordering the surrounding rooms as it rises to a light filled courtyard at the Master suite on the top floor. On each level the rooms are arranged in a circuit around the stair core, making a series of distinct suites for the children, for the parents, and for their common activities.

Example of a trendy kitchen design in San Francisco

Get your hard hat ready! Kid tested and approved, Mohawk Home’s Build Site Play area rug is full of endless playtime possibilities. Part of our Kids Interactive collection, this one was created with our premium Wear-Dated nylon fiber for a soft touch and dependable durability. The fiber utilized in the design of this product has been performance-tested to meet strict standards of durability and stain resistance, for a quality you can trust! Photo by Ashley Mitchell Photography.

Nestled in the woods, overlooking a small stream, this play structure takes advantage of the surrounding views and nature. Built for the entire family’s outdoor enjoyment, the tree house comprises two 8′-0″ x 8′-0″ platforms that create two floors. The lower floor is accessed by a ramp and the upper floor by a wooden ladder. The structure is screened with bamboo shoots, placed in close proximity to one another on the front [driveway side] and spaced wider and wider apart as they wrap around the sides to the back [best view]. The bamboo skin was harvested on site for a sustainable and cost effective material solution.

Project 0649 was an outdoor living project designed by Timothy Lee from Timothy Lee Landscape Design. The project objective was to transition a challenging slope into an outdoor living area with functional spaces for both children and adults. The scope included tree removal, site clearing, earthwork, natural stone boulder retaining walls, reclaimed granite stairs and steps, deck improvements, an irregular flagstone/bluestone patio, children’s play equipment, irrigation system, new plantings, and a brand new lawn.

Limestone boulders excavated from the site perfectly play off of the limestone chopped block edging and stair steps in the shade nicotine. At night, when accented by the landscape lighting, they display stunning depth and texture. The dark tone of the hardwood much creates beautiful contrast.